The last of my eight Yorkshire Compass Rides was a three-day trip to the northwesternmost reaches of historic Yorkshire, up in the remote Tees valley amid the Pennines. Day 1 involved a flood, a bridge to nowhere, a darts player’s rival to Stonehenge, and Europe’s oldest continuously performed ceremony outside a Wetherspoon. I did this…
Author: Rob Ainsley
Alnwick 2: Amble and Warkworth
More lovely cycle route research round Northumberland. Saw another enhanced road sign, this time to Shilbottle. Perhaps the same person who amended the sign to Snitter that I posted a picture of two days ago…
Alnwick 1: Road blocks, bah
Smashing first day researching cycle routes in Northumberland. The weather and scenery was fab, but the traffic occasionally got in the way, as you can see from all those sheep.
Loch Tay 4: Kinloch Rannoch
End of another work trip. Bet you wish you could make a living doing this. So do I.
Loch Tay 3: The Trossachs
Super day of cycling alongside Trossachs lochs: Venachar, Drunkie, Ard, Chon, Katrine, Arklet, Lomond. Lots of cyclists at the Pier Cafe, Stronachlachar, passionately debating which loch is the best. Not quite as passionately as they debated which Trossachs cafe does the best cakes, though. (Answer: Liz MacGregor’s in Aberfoyle, obvs.)
Loch Tay 2: Glen Lyon
Cycled up gorgeous Glen Lyon, Perthshire, and over the remote back mountain road (closed to cars, open to bikes) from Pubil to Killin. Definitely Scotland’s longest, arguably Scotland’s loveliest, and possibly Scotland’s rainiest glen. I’m now dripping dry with a pint in the Killin Hotel.
Loch Tay 1: Dull, twinned with Boring
A few days researching routes around lovely Loch Tay up in Perthshire.
Llangollen 3: Into the hills
More fab cycling in the mountains of east Wales. The indie hostel here in Llangollen is great – except for the group of raucous, cackling people playing loud music and dominating the common room and kitchen. Yes, U3A are here on a group outing.
Llangollen 2: Horseshoe Pass
More very enjoyable exploration of the hills round Llangollen and the Dee valley.
Llangollen 1: Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts
More cycle route research, in Llangollen and around the Dee valley.